Care Advice
What You Should Know About Motion Sickness:
- Motion sickness is a common normal reaction that occurs in 25% of people.
- Caused by increased sensitivity of the inner ear.
- It is not related to emotional problems or any physical disease.
- In the future, take a special medicine ahead of time to prevent it.
- Here is some care advice that should help.
Rest - Lie Down:
- Have your child lie down and rest. If your child goes to sleep, all the better.
Fluids - Offer Sips:
- Give only sips of clear fluids. Water is best. Do this until the stomach settles down.
Vomiting:
- Prepare for vomiting. Keep a vomiting pan handy.
- Usually, children don't vomit more than once with motion sickness.
What to Expect:
- All symptoms of motion sickness usually go away in 4 hours after stopping the motion.
- As for the future, people usually don't outgrow motion sickness. Sometimes, it becomes less severe in adults.
Motion Sickness Medicine - Dramamine:
- Buy some dimenhydrinate tablets (such as Dramamine) at your drug store. No prescription is needed. In the future, give it to prevent motion sickness.
- It comes in 50 mg regular and chewable tablets or in 25 mg Kids chewable tablets.
- Dosage by age: do not use under age 2.
- 2 to 5 years (12.5 mg): ½ Kids chewable
- 6 to 11 years (25 mg): 1 Kids chewable
- 12 and older (50 mg): 1 regular tablet or chewable
- Give the medicine 1 hour before traveling or going to a fun-park.
- The tablets give 6 hours of protection and are very helpful.
- Benadryl can also be used to prevent motion sickness. Use this if you do not have any Dramamine.
Prevention Tips for Car Trips:
- If your child is over 12 years old, sit him in the front seat.
- Before age 12, have your child sit in the middle back seat. This should help him look out the front window.
- Have your child look out the front window, not the side one.
- Discourage looking at books or movies during car travel.
- Keep a window cracked to provide fresh air.
- Avoid exhaust fumes from other vehicles.
- Meals: have your child eat light meals before trips. Some children can just tolerate crackers and water.
- Plastic Bags: always carry a ziplock plastic bag for vomiting emergencies.
Wrist Bands - Prevention:
- Acupressure bands (such as Sea-Bands) are helpful for some adults.
- There is no reason they shouldn't work for some children.
- Put them on before car trips or other causes of motion sickness.
- The pressure button goes over the center of the wrist. Place ½ inch (1 cm) above the wrist crease.
Call Your Doctor If:
- Any symptoms last over 8 hours
- You think your child needs to be seen
- Your child becomes worse
Remember! Contact your doctor if you or your child develop any "Contact Your Doctor" symptoms.